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Edition:
September 02, 2010
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NEWS
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Hiker gives up everything to understand the true meaning of life
Frazee’s first North Country Trail hiker stops in town
 | | Long distance hiker M. J. “Eb” Eberhart has a growing fan base of admirers, yet the 70-year-old finds it humbling that people find his hiking journeys inspirational. Photo by Barbie Porter |  |  | | Gordon Smith (from left) and M.J. “Eb” Eberhart joined Frazee Mayor Hank Ludtke for breakfast at the Palace Cafe before continuing their trek on the North Country Trail towards Itasca State Park. |
• by Barbie Porter
With every step across the North Country National Scenic Trail M. J. "Eb" Eberhart, 70, is understanding success, as God intended.
In the U.S., Congress has designated eight hiking trails since 1968. Of the eight, Eb has hiked five - the North Country Trail being his sixth expedition.
"Then I'll just have the Ice Age Trail," Eb noted.
Twenty days ago, Eb began his journey on the North Country Trail at Garrison Dam in North Dakota.
After covering 540 miles of weaving trail, Eb reached the hometown of Turkey Tom, which marked a new journey of sorts.
During the first steps of his journey that will lead him to New York, he's had a traveling companion, Gordon Smith.
While Eb walks, Gordon drives a support van. The two meet when the hiking path crosses a road.
"The van also gives him a place to sleep at night," Gordon added.
As Eb moves deep into Minnesota's forests, his travels will be solo as Gordon has other family commitments.
Changing lives, perceptions and concepts of success
Before joining Eb on a hiking journey, Gordon lived in a retirement home after a long, fruitful life.
While some flourish in a retirement environment, Gordon felt as if he was "waiting to die" as he rocked in a chair, dreaming of life instead of living it.
Upon that realization, Gordon decided to pack his belongings and take his life and home on the road.
"It took him a long time to talk me into going on one of these trips with him," Gordon divulged. "But I'm glad I did."
The unusual life of a hiking nomad was also galaxies away from who Eb was prior to his retirement.
"I was an optometrist," he said. "I was definitely a Type A personality."
Type A individuals tend to be impatient, consumed by timeliness, incapable of relaxation and workaholics, all of which Eb admitted to.
In retirement, however, he decided to take a long walk and redefine himself.
"I got Nomad's poison," Eb recalled. "I went for hikes and decided to start taking off the bars of my cage."
Transforming into the Nimblewill Nomad
"Why hike?" Eb grinned. He'd been asked this question many times before.
"That's like asking a soccer player why they kick the ball through the goal," he continued. "It's one of those things you do because you want to do it, and enjoy the experience."
There are three elements long distance hikers endure - physical, mental and spiritual.
The physical demand is obvious; walking 25 miles a day can be strenuous, particularly when carrying supplies, such as water and camping gear that can add an additional 30-40 pounds to each step.
"Most think the physical demands would be the toughest to overcome, but it's not," Eb divulged. "I'd say the physical aspect accounts for 18 percent of the challenge, but 80 percent is mental."
Eb explained everyone is in the same boat when it comes to having personal trials and tribulations.
However, when walking through the woods alone, there are no devices or distractions to prevent one from facing those inner demons.
"You really began to examine how you conducted your life and what you contribute to society," he said. "When people are faced with that, that's when most hikers fail to finish their journey because it's too much to cope with, all alone."
He added for those strong enough to persevere, there is a lesson that is as immeasurable as heaven.
"When you let everything go and accept life for what it is, then you understand the importance of humanity has nothing to do with possessions," he explained.
One visit to his Web site, nimblewillnomad.com, and it's easy to see his profound way of living has impact those he's met along the way, and strangers who simply heard about his journey.
Eb noted sharing his experience garnished more respect and admiration than wearing a suit, owning a house and a fancy car ever did.
"It's very humbling that people find me inspirational," he said. "And it's not because of what I own, but who I am."
The impact of his own statement choked him up. He cleared his tears and nodded. "That, to me, is what matters."
Fear the mosquito
Eb's will is strong, but there are times in the wild where he finds himself overcome with fear.
As predators like bear and mountain lions prowl near the path and wolves howl in the night, Eb doesn't feel insecure about his safety.
However, when the summer season ripens and the blood sucking vampires of the night emerge, Eb admits the wonders of nature can lose their allure.
"Mosquitos are the worst," he said. "If you see a bear it'll be their tail end running away, but mosquitoes don't leave you alone, even if you swat at them. They're the buggers you need to watch out for."
As Eb enters the trail from Frazee to Itasca State Park, he also has to be on the lookout for rogue branches, as the trail is still under construction.
When the trail is finished there will be a hiking path cleared of branches and brush eight feet high by four feet wide.
"I've been told this part is the most beautiful, scenic portion of the trail," he said, noting he's about as excited to view the untamed land in the Boundary Waters as he is of the friends he will meet along the way.
"Most people are friendly," he said. "A few don't acknowledge me, but most smile. I think they smile because they see my backpack they understand I'm free; I'm independent with nothing tying me down. And I think everyone wants that to some degree."
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